Reviews by philipt:

I had a decision to make today -- faithfully good beers or a new beer (Left Hand Imp Stout). I was close to going with a beer that I've had before and enjoyed, but then I suddenly stopped and said, "NO! Do some thing new and different." So I did, and am rather happy with the result -- Left Hand Imperial Stout.

A very dark red-amber in color with a small or large head, depending on pouring style and preference. This beer would have gained substantial appearance points if it was abysmally black. Maly aroma, with some expresso and chocolate hints but not easily distinguishable. The taste is initially sweet followed quickly by a roasted malt/coffee flavor. The alcohol is present but not prominent. This beer is quite drinkable. (735 characters)

More User Reviews:

Pours a deep brown with some reddish hue when held up to the light with very fizzy non existent head wich was very unexpected in a bad way,the aromas were quite nice though rummy and buttery with an underlying milk chocolate note as well.Really a pretty thin mouthfeel for an Impy stout but a nice melding of flavors rum and bitter chocolate dominate upfront with a earthy,dry finish.This beer has some highs and lows a nice aroma and some flavor qualities but the thin mouthfeel and appearance left some to be desired. (519 characters)

Poured very black with a touch of ruby on the edges of the glass. Poured a decent creamy tan head but dissipated quickly and some lacing. Smelled fairly nice-roasted barley and chocolate up front. The taste was fairly disappointing though. I expected to be blasted with chocolate but it tasted like unsweetened bakers chocolatem unpleasant bitterness and had an unexpected sourness on it. There was also a little hint of plastic flavor that was unexpected. The finish sweetened with pleasant caramel notes, and there was a fairly creamy mouthfeel. The alcohol crept up on you but was not a dominant flavor. Overallm I did not enjoy this beer. It had some decent characteristics, but I wouldn'y buy again. I prefered the left hand milk stout much more than the imperial. (769 characters)

A fairly dark brew, but not opaque by anymeans. Somewhat of a dark plum color. Head is just off-white. Never really formed though and only left a few pockets of bubbles on top.

Aroma isn't overly strong. Alcohol is prominant. Toasted malts and dark fruits work well together with the alcohol. Possibly some floral type hops as well.

10%...no kidding with this one, haha. Lots of sweetness. Again dark fruits, some plums and raisins. The toastedness comes up towards the end. Not much to it really. A good bit of alcohol and a lot of sweetness sums it up. The more I drink the less I like. I dunno...its just okay. It has RIS characteristics but just weak overall and too much alcohol that isn't backed up with anything overly tasty.

Mouthfeel is a bit thin, even for the style which I generally find thinner than most other stouts. Drinkability is okay really. Nothing offensive about this one, but nothing overly special either. Overall it goes down smooth and sits light, even with the alcohol. (1,005 characters)

Taste: Massive full-bodied brew with a smooth and ultra-creamy mouthfeel. Malt is the dominant character of this beer with a robust combination of chocolate, syrupy sweetness, burnt/roasted flavours, touch of caramel, juicy fruit / grape, raisin and more sherri and wet paper (oxidation). Hop bitterness is not really perceived, however their are tea-like hop flavours present. Actually as the beer warms a leafy hop character also pulls thru, maybe a touch of citrus too. Alcohol is very warming and imparts a spicy, near peppery, character. Finish is surprisingly clean, with just a touch of grain dryness.

Notes: Even though my sample appears to be a bit oxidized, this is still a superb example of the style and an excellent brew. (1,059 characters)

22 ounce bottle, poured into my nonic. Dark brown but not opaque, rather light colored head for an Impy. Aroma of brown bread, roastiness, and a smooth malt-alcohol mixture.

This is an Impy? So freaking smooth - yeah, there's alcohol subdued in the finish, but on the way there it's a milk chocolate and espresso kind of sweetness alongside dark sugared figs with a faint roastiness in the background. Ever have a Murphy's? Crank up that amp to about 9.5. Exceedingly drinkable and impeccably smooth - the 10+% ABV remains well hidden throughout. Nothing really grabs you with this beer - yet I wonder if that's by design? Hops? What are hops? The beer equivalent of a bigass chocolate malted.

I could have three of these. But then I'd fall down and have to be escorted from the premises. Don't do that. (809 characters)

12 oz bottle. Pours a dark brown with ruby highlights. You can barely see some yeast floaties in there. It has a small fizzy brown head that quickly dissipates to a collar then completely diminishes.

The aroma is chocolate, figs, cherries, and wood with a slight hint of alcohol.

The flavor is bitter anise and some chalky chocolate and a touch of sweet dark fruit. There is a strong smokey alcohol flavor that is a little overbearing. The nouthfeel is thin to medium-bodied and not very carbonated with a sticky, bitter,chalky finish.

Overall, I did not like this nearly as well as the Oak Aged version. This was too sharp and biting in comparison to the mellowed out oak-aged version. I couldn't get past the chalky bitterness and the strong alcohol. (761 characters)

A - Pours black. Aggressive pour leaves a bit of creamy tan head, that settles into a tiny cap on the beer.

S - Dark chocolate, some smoky roasted malts.

T - Alcoholic chocolate milkshake! Lots and lots of chocolate in this one. A good bit of bourbon or maybe vodka booziness, which increases as the beer warms. Some vanilla, coffee, more smoky roasted malts. Just the tiniest bit of hops here and there. This is really sweet for an IS. Tastes a lot like their milk stout, just stronger and heavier on the booze.

M - Pleasantly creamy and thick. Carbonation is just right for the sweetness, it really fills out the palate.

D - Pretty high, but this is definitely on the sweet side. If you're not into sweet stouts, than this will probably be a bit much.

Pretty decent IS. Not the greatest or most complex out there, but nice. Very accessible for a big beer. (906 characters)

Pours a very dark brown with a nice 1/2 inch, light brown head that retains very well. Some lacing is left behind with each sip. Aroma is very nutty. Some hints of cocoa, lactose, and a slight roastiness. Taste is is ripe with dark fruits, much alcohol is evident, very sweet, and not much roastiness at all on the palate. This isn't my type of stout at all. Mouthfeel is sort of thin for the style and a little too much carbonation. Not very drinkable in my opinion. (467 characters)

T&M- Very creamy with a light and smooth carbonation ... heavy body. Layers of roasted grain unfold showing suggestions of French Roasted coffee, dark bakers chocolate and black strap molasses. Nice chewy thickness of malt in the middle with ample sweetness that mixes well with the estery dark berry fruitiness. Sufficient handful of hops helps to balance, finishes a little sweet with a long lingering roasted character and a warming alcohol.

D- Easy to sip on a miserable sleet riddled Boston night. A good pairing with some candied pecans. (848 characters)

22 oz bomber pours an opaque, black body. Two finger, beige head of tightly knit foam hangs around for awhile. Patch and sheet lace clings all over the imperial pint glass.

Aroma is unique for style, with a load of dark, rum soaked fruits in the initial whiff. Expected notes of coffee and chocolate follow up. Very enticing aromas.

Mouthfeel is coating, but seems thin for an Imperial Stout.

Very tasty! Chocolate and roasted coffee, with an alcohol kick. Some Kahlua notes here. Dark fruits, again enter the picture, with some rum soaked raisin. Hazelnut emerges midway, and adds some nuttiness. This stout is smooth and creamy, all the way down. Alcohol is well disguised, to be 10%. Black licorice comes into the profile toward the finish, and adds some excitement to the final couple of sips.

Mouthfeel: heavy body, sweet all the way through, chewy, sticky, next to no feel of carbonation

Drinkability: This one almost feels like the beer equivalent of a boston cream donut. It is stronger sweet RIS. The alcohol is not as pronounced as it it could be. I could have one more..max (459 characters)

This impy poured a deep deep brown / almost black , with a tan head of an inch or so. Aroma is deep and roasty , esspresso , dark chocolate , sweet maltyness , and a tinge of alcohol. The taste is very rich and roasty , with a sweet edge to the finish. Flavors include : semi-sweet chocolate , roasty maltiness , sweet malt , bit of hop bitterness , and some alcohol. The mouthfeel is chewy and creamy. Overall i think this is a pretty good imperial stout , the 10% ABV is well hidden , and there is plenty of flavor. (517 characters)

Pours deep mahogany with almost no head. Heavily alcoholic aroma with roasted malt, currants, and tobacco. Sweet, smooth taste of chocolate malt, licorice, cascade-like hops, and an alcohol burn. The one weakness is the alcohol is not masked very well and comes out strong in the end. (284 characters)

Pours bright dark brown under a very finely bubbled 1” tan cap that hugs the side of the glass. The aroma is very muted and disappointing. Palate a little molassy sweet up front with roast and chocolate and hints of dark fruit that give way to a big bitter finish. It feel soft and luscious in the mouth with a big body and a little above average carbonation. This is a nice big beer but it is not as well balanced as some. (425 characters)

Poured out a pitch black appearance, tan head, very slight. Aroma was burnt.

Taste, big huge beer, a little bit of everything in a stout. Burnt malt, chocolate, slight coffee, wood, molasses. Hid the alcohol decently, bitterness was definitely there. Gritty at times. Definitely enjoyed this more as it warmed up, do not drink anywhere near 'cold' it might go down faster, but so many of the nuances packed into one beer aren't as noticeable.

$10 for a 4 pack at John's in Iowa City, this beer is definitely drinkable at that price. (535 characters)